?Chapter 1573:

When morning crept in, the ring of her phone tugged her from sleep.

She blinked groggily. It was her aunt, Chelsea.

“Aunt Chelsea, is something wrong?”

Corrine’s voice was hoarse from the deep sleep she had been yanked from. Nate’s actions had kept her awakete into the night, and now exhaustion weighed heavily on her.

Chelsea’sughter came through the phone, light and teasing. “Don’t you remember what special day it is today?”

Corrine nced at her phone in confusion. “What day?” It wasn’t a holiday, and no birthdays came to mind.

With a soft sigh, Chelsea reminded her, “It’s the day Evelynes to formally meet the Ford family and finalize your engagement to Nate. Carl arranged everything at Serenity Garden. We’ve got time, so I’ll take you to choose a dress. Engagements may not be weddings, but they still matter.”

Corrine tapped her forehead in self-reproach. How could she have forgotten such an important day? She leapt from bed—only to stumble as her legs gave way beneath her, the toll of the night catching up.

“Corrine? Are you alright?” Chelsea’s worried voice came through the line.

“I’m okay, just a little off bnce. I’ll get dressed and call youter,” Corrine said, regaining her footing and heading to the bathroom to freshen up.

Downstairs, she caught sight of Evelyn and Nate reviewing the gift list together. When Evelyn spotted Corrine, her face lit up. “Corrine,e here.”

In a hurry, Corrine exchanged a few polite words, then rushed out the door. On the way out, she turned to Nate. “Wasn’t the engagement supposed to be postponed? Why is everything moving so fast?”

It had been nned for Monday, but with the recent mishap in Riverveille and the tension between her and Nate, the schedule had gone quiet—and she had let it slip her mind.

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“It’s Grandma’s call,” Nate answered simply.

The sudden change in timing caught him off guard as well.

Corrine didn’t dwell on it. She simply got into the car, ready to meet her aunt.

At precisely 11 a.m., the Ford family’s car arrived at Serenity Garden.

Corrine, arm in arm with Carl, stepped into the private room they had reserved. Though Corrine’s mother had passed and she had cut ties with her so-called father, the Ford family had always treated her like their own, and today, in honor of her, Jayden, Chelsea, Jules, and Waldo had all gathered to support her.

Dressed formally, they made a striking impression as they entered.

As the door opened, Evelyn lifted her eyes—and her gazended on Corrine.

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed slightly, and her hand trembled as Corrine entered the room.

Today, Corrine had abandoned her usual attire in favor of a flowing white silk dress adorned with silver, which sculpted her figure exquisitely. The gown not only highlighted her feminine allure but also underscored her aristocratic, graceful presence.

Her hair was swept up simply, secured with a single elegant hairpin, projecting her serene and poised nature. In her attire, she resembled a solitary white rose under the moonlight—stunning yet aloof, her solitude worn like a badge of honor that bothmanded admiration and intimidated those who wished to draw nearer.

As Corrine stepped into the room, she noticed Evelyn’s unreadable expression. There was something in the older woman’s stare—a blend of respect, uncertainty, and a feeling that she saw someone else in Corrine. Evelyn’s eyes conveyed a mixture of emotions that Corrine found indecipherable.fn8c99 ?????? ???? FιndＮovel/fn8c99

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